Zin: I'm not sure how long I'm going to continue this fanfic. It depends on how many reviews it gets. So this is like a pre-Capitol story and how the Capitol came to be. The characters are the ancestors of Katniss and Peeta and all them. Do your best to figure out who's who. Whoever figures out who Terra is gets a virtual cookie!
Terra's POV
April fifth, 3000
Okay, so this is, like, some kind of assignment so don't think I'm keeping a journal by choice. It's kinda like extra credit, 'cause I don't test well. I'm not stupid or anything.
I'm supposed to write what I've learned everyday but nothing really happened today. I guess I learned how to eat ten Snicker bars without barfing. (Maximum Ride reference!)
I don't think that's what they meant but it's a weekend so you can't expect me to really be thinking.
So, live long and prosper,
Terra
I read over my entry. Eh. It'll have to do. I closed the screen and went to find Cotta. She owed me five bucks.
Just before opening my door, I checked myself in the mirror. With short, messy red hair and swimming blue eyes I looked nothing like my twin. Cotta had our father's brown hair and our mother's gray eyes. Normally I'm thankful we look so different but sometimes I'm jealous of how much she looks like our parents.
Pushing aside any negative thoughts, I swung out of my room and into the hallway. Video frames lined the walls with films of our family, my little brother Eddie always sitting off to the side, staring at his hands as he played with a blade of grass or a small toy. He had mom's white blonde hair and the same wild card eyes as me. The one splash of color on his face was the red in his cheeks. Dad, a therapist, says he speaks much less than a seven-year old should. He didn't seem really worried. Relieved, almost, after my motor-mouth phase.
I found Cotta in her room, listening to some music.
"Hey," I said, leaning against the door frame, "what are ya listening to?"
"Hm? Oh, just some really old songs. Like, CD old." she replied, pulling a flesh-colored ear piece out.
"Don't you have homework or something?"
She shrugged, "Just an alien life experiment but it's not due for a week."
"Either way, I won the bet. Ten Snicker bars for five bucks."
She sighed and pulled out a silver coin the size of a golf ball. I snatched it from her and glanced at the tails side. A black print of an eagle made of geometric shapes was taking flight with a load of arrows. Underneath in gold letters the motto of our country curved along the side of the coin: 'Por Futurum Saeculum' (for the future world). Above the eagle the word 'balance' stood out in bold gold letters.
"Come on now," I pressed, "five bucks, not two."
Cotta let out another sigh, "That's all I have right now. The rest is in my savings account for college."
"Fine. I'll let this pass if you try out for the school play."
She frowned at me and pulled her sweat shirt hood over her eyes.
"You know I hate singing on stage." she mumbled.
"I also know you have a great voice."
She peeked at me from under her hood, "How do you know that?"
"You sing in the shower." I replied, smirking.
Her cheeks colored, "Fine, but I'm only going to try for a minor role."
"No, you're going for the female lead." I said, pulling out a script from behind my back, "Singin' in the Rain. You're playing Kathy. Have fun!"
I tossed her the packet and walked out. She'll thank me later.
Cotta's POV
I caught the script and stared after my twin. She couldn't be serious. I was horrible at acting! Why would I want to pretend I'm someone I'm not? I don't do things unless my life depends on it. Terra does things if she believes they're the right thing to do. She won't keep her head down and just go with it. If she had she wouldn't have to do so much extra credit.
I groaned and shoved the script in my backpack. I would look at it tomorrow.
Just as I was slipping my earpiece back in, I got a message from Terra. I pressed the small button on the side of my holo phone and watched as she appeared on the hologram.
"I knew you weren't reading it! Please take this seriously. And if you're not going to read it at least join us at the park. Papri is doing caricatures!"
"Fine."
Terra's eager face fell to a stubborn mask, "No, don't just say 'fine' and blow it off. Pick up the dang packet and highlight your lines. When I come home I'll be quizzing you."
"But-"
"No."
"Can I-"
"No."
"Why n-"
"I said no. Now get to work!"
The image cut off and I was left glaring at the wall. This was so not worth three bucks.
(The next day)
Terra's POV
"In 2053, Ethan Grimm, a world renounced philosopher said what? Terra?"
"'Power comes from the strong and the determined. Those who don't strive for more are content with menial jobs.'" I recited.
Ms. Scotch smiled "Very good. Now who can tell me in what year Emily Johnson petitioned to blah blah blah.."
Government History was the only class I really understood. It was so easy for me to track the ideas that led to a political action. Not that I agreed with all of the ideas. It was just easy.
"Now before you leave, I'd like you to fill out this survey. The government wants to get an understanding of what jobs most youths want. It's required by all citizens so make sure you turn it in by Thursday."
Huh. This was new.
I scanned over the sheet. Nothing too big. Just a bunch of questions on interests and career options. I'll do it tomorrow. With all my other assignments.
I'm such a procrastinator.
Cotta's POV
I could feel beads of sweat forming on the back of my neck. My legs were burning from exertion but I still had half a mile to run until I reached home. I wasn't going to quit now.
I poured on more speed, nearly colliding with an old woman. I jog almost everyday, not to get in shape but to become stronger. I've always had the feeling I would need it someday. I guess I hope that one day I'll be the heroine of my own story. After leading a horribly mediocre life I've developed a taste for adventure.
And adventure was just what I was about to get.
Instead of taking my usual route home, I decided to cut through an alleyway. Just as I was turning the corner, I spotted two men talking. Making a snap decision, I ducked behind a dumpster and tuned in on their conversation.
"...and what if we have to seperate families?" one man said in a nervous tone.
"We'll do what we have to do to make sure the plan is perfectly executed." the other man replied determinedly.
My heart rate quickened. A reckless smile played on my lips. The nervous man didn't seem to like this plan. Which meant it was just the kind of plan that someone like me is meant to foil.
Game on.
Zin: Just FYI, Zin is just a shortening of my pen name. I put 0% thought into my name so I compromised with myself. And an apology in advance: the story is going to be pretty slow at first so just deal, okay? Okay. Am I forgetting something? Oh, yeah those pesky disclaimers.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games.
Zin: I bet one virtual cookie no one will be able to figure out who Terra is! R&R and may the odds be ever in your favor!
